Seoul stocks dip over 4 pct on extended chip rout, Mideast tensions

South Korean stocks plunged by over 4 percent Monday, primarily driven by a sharp downturn in the semiconductor sector amid concerns over artificial intelligence investments. This drop coincides with heightened tensions in the Middle East, which added to the market's unease. The significant decline underscores the vulnerabilities of the tech-heavy market to both domestic and international pressures, reflecting broader economic anxieties in the sector. The situation highlights how geopolitical conflicts can have far-reaching impacts on global markets.